Skeptics in the Pub - SCIENTIFIC UNCERTAINTY & THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

Anna Christie will talk about scientific uncertainty and the precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle is an international concept, promulgated in the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

There are many permutations of the original principle, but essentially it implies that there is a social responsibility to protect the public from exposure to harm, when scientific investigation has found a plausible risk. It is used by policy makers to inform and justify discretionary decisions in situations where there is the possibility of harm and when extensive scientific knowledge on the matter is lacking.

The precautionary principle has been introduced into Australian environmental laws progressively since the 1990s.

Right now several high profile new mines and gasfields as well as the expansion of existing mines are in various stages of the planning process in New South Wales.

In this discussion Anna Christie will reveal how scientific uncertainty is being treated by regulators and proponents of State Significant Developments, and how the onus of proof should be on proponents to disprove predicted irreversible or catastrophic harms. These topics will be discussed in the context of the Narrabri Coal Seam Gas Project and major coal expansion in the Namoi Valley.

A graduate of the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney in Law and Public Affairs, Anna is an environmental advocate and citizen researcher with a background in environmental law and ethics.

She is a founding member of the Leard Forest Research Node citizen science group, based in Maules Creek near Narrabri in New South Wales. Also a foundation member of the Australian Citizen Science Association, Anna has conducted a range of environmental monitoring and advocacy in the Namoi Valley which is the front line of coal and coal seam gas expansion in New South Wales. Anna has also lectured in Environmental Ethics at the Australian Catholic University.

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On the first Thursday of each month, Australian Skeptics and friends get together for Skeptics in the Pub.

People generally start arriving at around 6pm after work. The talk begins at 7pm and lasts for about 30 minutes. The night finishes when the last person leaves.

Enjoy a meal and a drink accompanied by lively discussion, free spoon bending lessons and the company of other sceptics, as we cover a variety of interesting topics.

There is no need to belong to Australian Skeptics - all are welcome. Bring friends too.

Parking is available nearby at:

The Queen Victoria Building, 111 York Street

The 383 Kent Street Car Park, 383 Kent Street

The 321 Kent Street Car Park, 86 Sussex Street (entry in Sussex Street)

Please take a moment to read our Code of Conduct (https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/code-of-conduct-at-events/)